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How Alica Went from Fired to Successful Work-At-Home Transcriptionist

If you’ve ever thought you were too old to learn a new skill or start your own business, this student success story is for you! Alica was fired from her job after seven years. Talk about stress!!

She feared she wouldn’t be able to find something she TRULY enjoyed. Then she found Transcribe Anywhere. And the rest is history.

Read on to see how Alica pushed herself and didn’t let anything stand in her way!

Q: Welcome to the blog, Alica! Can you tell us a little about your background? What did your life look like before TA?

I have worked in the clerical field for over 25 years. I’ve seen a lot of unfair and unethical things happen in the workplace. I hopped from job to job, always yearning for more. I’d start a job and stay just because I needed the money. I was never truly happy at ANY job I ever had, until now. I’d always research work-at-home jobs but never found anything worthwhile. I knew there was more out there — I just didn’t know how to find it!

Q: Finding that gem among the junk is definitely a challenge! So when did you start doing transcription, and what made you decide to learn it?

A year ago I was fired from my most recent job after being there for seven years. I was miserable. I didn’t feel valued or respected by management. The day I left there, I was more determined than ever to figure out what I wanted, and how to get it. I had researched transcription work before, but until I found Janet’s courses, I was pretty lost.

Q: What was the most challenging part in getting started?

For me, the most challenging part was allowing myself a little more time to learn and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I’m 52 and I wasn’t sure I could learn like I did when I was younger! It was overwhelming and challenging, but also something that I welcomed. Janet made it all so easy by giving step-by-step instructions on everything!

Q: Love it! You are NEVER too old to learn something new! What have been the most valuable things you learned during the course?

Everything! I knew nothing about Microsoft Word, formatting, which software to use, or templates. Thank goodness Janet gave links to everything she used or purchased. The videos also helped so much. I was thankful for them because I learn by hands-on and repetition. Oh, and I can’t forget the many hours of practice dictations that prepared me for a real job!

Q: How long did it take you to find your first client? How many clients do you have now?

I am employed by two different small businesses right now and LOVE it. I finished the course at the end of April 2017, and I got my first job in May.

Q: Wow, that was super fast! What advice would you give anyone thinking about becoming a work-at-home transcriptionist? Is it worth the money for training?

Brush up on punctuation, grammar, and typing skills. You must also be motivated and able to stay focused. It is most definitely worth the money for training. I think it’s better to learn from someone with experience. Janet is quite obviously successful with her own business!

Q: What do you think it takes to be a GOOD transcriptionist? How about a GREAT one?

It takes skills either way. The difference to me would be wanting to learn the business inside and out, working all hours, determination, and perseverance. You must have research skills and the drive to want something better to become a great transcriptionist.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a transcriptionist? What about your least favorite?

My favorite thing about being a work-at-home transcriptionist is definitely the freedom. I can set my own hours, and I get to work from home! I don’t have to answer to anyone, and I don’t have to be part of the 9-to-5 grind. And I save gas and don’t need work clothes! My least favorite thing so far is — oh, who am I kidding? I haven’t found anything that I don’t like yet!

Q: What does a typical day look like for you? Anything else you’d like to share?

I start all of my days the same way because for me, staying in a routine works best. I’m up with my husband at 6:15. I fix him breakfast and lunch, then I work out, shower, and get my day started. I normally start working around 9:00 a.m. and work until I have finished a file and proofread it. The great thing is I can work into the evening if I feel like it.

Right now, I’m transcribing market research and academic interviews. I’m probably making right around $1,000 a month. Sometimes that figure changes. If my husband wants me to take off and go do something fun, I do it! I’m thankful he has a good job, and my income is supplemental. I do plan on eventually getting my own clients, but right now I’m pretty happy where I am.

Our Take

I think Alica’s story is incredibly inspiring for students! Am I too old to learn something new? Am I good enough after being fired? You’re definitely never too old for anything, and you are ABSOLUTELY good enough, no matter your circumstances. You can do this!

Oh my, as if I’m reading my own story except for the part of getting fired. I stopped working for over 15 years now. After reading your story, you gave me inspiration to push forward in another stage in my life. Thank you! I really hope and pray that I will do this.

I’m so happy you’ve found inspiration from Alica’s story. We’ve all been there. Your choice now is to continue to hope and pray (both good things) or just get started. God hears our prayers. It’s up to us, though, to activate. 🙂

Wonderful story of success! I was also fired from my job as office manager in a medical office after 15 years of dedication three years ago. I am still taking this course, and I am also a full-time proofreader, which I love!
I am much happier now than when I was working in that very toxic office. and I don’t get bullied anymore. I love the freedom that comes with my freelancing.
Congratulations to you! 🙂

I love to hear stories like this! Thanks, Janet. You are awesome. My questions for Alicia are: How did Alica find her first clients? Did she reach out, or did they reach out to her? How many hours do you work to make $1,000 per month? Thanks for your time, Alica! I’m so happy you’re doing well. You give the rest of us hope and inspiration!

Hi, Divina! Thanks for your kind words. I began by testing with TONS of transcription companies. I passed their tests and began working immediately. I don’t have my own clients yet, but I’m working on that. 😄 The hours that I work can vary. I would say it averages out to around a 40-hour work week.

Thank you so much for sharing such an inspirational story. I completed Janet’s ‘amazing’ course last year, but I’ve been fearful of leaving my retail job and taking the plunge into the general transcription world. Your story really motivated me because it’s precisely $1,000 per month that I need to make in order to make ends meet. I’d like to find work that would allow me to accept relatively quick jobs on my days off as a way of getting started. Many of the companies I looked at request a minimum number of available hours. It’s difficult for me to commit to a certain number of hours because some weeks I work 23 hours and other times I’m scheduled close to 40 hours. I’d LOVE to find something that would allow me to merely log-in and accept 15-30 minute audios. Any suggestions? Again, I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished. Thank you again for sharing your amazing story!

Hi Terri!
Thanks for your kind words! I understand where you are coming from. I’m thankful to have my husband to fall back on while I get started. I understand not everyone has that luxury though. I used Janet’s list of transcription companies that she compiled for us. I went through that list and applied to a bunch of them. I also joined Facebook transcription groups. Sometimes jobs are posted within those groups. For me, I started with fairly low pay so I could gain experience and confidence. It’s working for me. I’m always striving for more money, but the best pay comes from having your own clients, which is my goal. Do some research, look at the companies. I email them first and ask what their pay rate is before I test with them, then I know whether or not to invest the time with their company. There are a lot of them out there, you just have to find one that works for you! Good luck!

I can certainly understand the hesitancy of learning something new at an “advanced” age. I did that six years ago when I also left a highly-toxic office environment after 14 years and took a medical transcription course. I had hoped that field would take me through to retirement. But now that voice recognition has taken over and ruined the earning potential there, I am starting over again at age 60. Know what? I’m tired and I’m discouraged.

In late November, I signed up for the General Transcription course here. I’m still working as a medical transcriptionist, because I need to have an income, such as it is. I don’t get to study the course as much as I would like, because I’m tired after work and just want to get away from the computer. I’m making progress, however, and have just started the practice files.

I appreciate these testimonies from people who are my age or close to it. Thank you, Alicia. I guess I don’t have a question. I just wanted to tell a little bit of my story.